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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Cord around babies neck at 39 weeks

98 replies

MissDolly95 · 14/06/2024 09:31

I've been having growth scans due to my history. Had a stillbirth with twins in 2015, then 4 early miscarriages in the space of 14 months.

I then went on to have my daughter who is now 2 and her pregnancy was a text box dream. No issues at all. I was induced at 38 weeks due to history.

I'm now 39 weeks pregnant with my second daughter, again text box and she's been a dream. Had my last scan yesterday and they saw the cord round her neck, said no concern. A few hours later I get a call and a consultant has reviewed the scan and wanted me to go to triage to speak to the doctor to get the baby out. So in my head I instantly thought I was about to have the baby last night. So set myself up it was going to be a section.

We get there at 5pm, get monitored, baby met all criteria on the monitor. We then waited 5 hours in the corridor for the doctor. Finally see the doctor who had consent forms and was ready to admit me for a section. So I said is this happening tonight and she said no, she'd just admit me and if a slot came up I'd be in it but could be waiting till Saturday. So I was a bit taken a back since it was so "urgent"

Asked how urgent it was before I just signed consent forms and they said "semi emergency" I then asked to speak to her boss who literally couldn't or cared less. I was begging for them to just advise me so I could make a choice. It's major surgery to be signing up for. They didn't give any urgency for me to sign on the dotted line there and then.

I then declined and come home and they said I could ring back this morning with a decision. Rang them this morning and I've said I'd like to speak to the day doctor to get some more clarity really. I requested an induction at my 20 week consultant appointment and I was refused and that is really angering me because I could of had this all booked and not been left in the stress and anxiety I'm now in.

Have the worst worst feeling I've made the wrong choice and now my baby is going to die and it'll be my fault

OP posts:

Lovecatsanddogs · 14/06/2024 09:37

I had the issue with my DS but it was 25 years ago so only knew as he didn't engage. You can't be allowed to go into labour naturally or have an infection as the contractions will put pressure on the cord? I would try and put yourselves on the section waiting list asap.

meganna · 14/06/2024 09:38

Sorry you've been left in this position, it's not really on.

It could be that an induction is now not suitable anyway, as sometimes when the cord is round the baby's neck it causes stress on the baby and you end up needing an emergency c section anyway! This happened my sister just 3 weeks ago.

Personally if a consultant had reviewed my scan and recommended a c section I would go for it. They don't generally opt for a section if it's avoidable. I had a planned section after a traumatic first labour and didn't feel like it was major surgery at all. It was stress free and recovery was miles easier than my vaginal birth. I think c sections can get a bad rep as once your body has gone into labour if you then need a section it can be a longer recovery, but anyone I know who's had a planned section hasn't really had a bad thing to say about it.

They're saying it's a semi emergency as it's not immediately life threatening to you or the baby, so you would be lower on the list as emergencies are taken first. I'd say if you went into labour they might change that to emergency as they don't deem it safe for you to deliver vaginally.

kiwiane · 14/06/2024 09:41

With your history I would consent and go back in to the hospital to wait for a C-section; they will put emergencies first - your risk is lower.

Original poster

MissDolly95 · 14/06/2024 09:46

You ladies have just given me more clarity than I got last night from 2 head doctors! I asked is it totally off the cards having an induction and having a vaginal birth and they said no I can do that but there is a waiting list so it's booked up. So again that was another spanner in the works of making a choice there and then. I was pleading with them to just help me and they said they couldn't and when I said can I think about they just walked out of the room and that was that. The midwife I seen after was amazing, she made me calm to go home. She said what she has saw no one is concerned about well being and it's just the fact I had a scan at 39 weeks that picked it up and usually you wouldn't have a scan so you or them would be none the wiser till labour anyway.

I feel so torn. I just didn't feel like I was advised or helped last night at all. And now I'm just doubting what choice I've made

OP posts:

RosesAndPoppies · 14/06/2024 09:48

I would also consent and get back into hospital. I'm not a doctor but I think that while baby is floating around in an unpressured environment the risk is lower, but if you go into spontaneous labour and start having contractions then the risk will increase.
Much better to be on the spot, booked in, monitored, everyone aware so that swift action can be taken if needed, and you can be slotted in for a c section in any case to hopefully avoid all risk.
Good luck. I had an emergency c section which I resisted til I had no choice - I was terrified of it but it really was ok in the end, far less scary than the thought of it had been. You can do this

Minibea · 14/06/2024 09:51

Sorry you’re going though this OP. My DD was delivered by crash section after days of induction (due to a bleed) and while she had been stable through my labour, when we got to the business end her heart rate very suddenly and very dramatically dropped and it was a very scary emergency section - she was delivered in 20 mins from them calling it - she had the cord wrapped twice round her neck and we were very lucky that all was ok. I would seriously get in the section list - at a guess Id imagine they’d get you in for a section pretty quickly if you go into labour naturally. My second child was born by elective section and it was lovely and calm experience, my first not so much but very thankful we were in the right place.

Lovecatsanddogs · 14/06/2024 09:53

Yes I would try and go back to hospital and wait for a section. The cord only becomes an issue once labour starts, so its good you found out now, instead of a labour where you didn't progress. I had 2 elections sections which were both relaxed and the recovery was fine.

Original poster

MissDolly95 · 14/06/2024 10:04

I called this morning and was advised I'd be called by the day doctor today when they go over my case. I think I just needed to really sit on the decision rather than just signing away last night as I didn't feel comfortable at all to do it there and then with their little information.

I'll see what the day doctor says today and I will probably go back in today if I'm allowed and go for the section

OP posts:

BirthdayRainbow · 14/06/2024 10:07

Without an emergency section my son wouldn't now be out walking the dog for me. I'm not sure what your concerns are but if it is because you don't want a section I'm worried that you're fixating on the wrong thing. The cord was seen around your babies neck so I'm puzzled as to why that isn't an emergency in itself.

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 14/06/2024 10:08

Good luck OP.

In your position I would go in and say you'd like an elective C-section and you'll take the first slot available.

wheresthebigcarrot · 14/06/2024 10:10

I would've signed the forms there and then for the section. I had a section for medical reasons with my youngest and it was a complete and utter dream compared to my 55 hour induction with me eldest that resulted in injuries for him and life changing injuries for me.

Have the section. As soon as is humanly possible. I don't understand why you wouldn't just have it. Yes it's major surgery but it's totally different than a crash section halfway through a protracted and trauma filled labour.

IDontFeelItAnymore · 14/06/2024 10:17

I really don't get it. The cord is wrapped around your baby's neck. Sign the form and get the baby safely out ASAP.

There's really nothing to think about here.

Original poster

MissDolly95 · 14/06/2024 10:18

BirthdayRainbow · 14/06/2024 10:07

No, it's not because I don't want a section at all. They have said it's "semi emergency" but I could be waiting till Saturday or a days after. So that's what not made me not make a choice there and then. I asked if I could think about it and they said yes, so again wasn't an emergency. Otherwise I'd of been in theatre there and then with a baby now

OP posts:

AHobbyaweek · 14/06/2024 10:20

I totally understand the confusion here OP. C sections and inductions have their place and certainly save lives. Unfortunately they are over recommended and used and we have fallen out of the practice of truly understanding if they are needed or not. In your case, it could be worth a c section or not but without the clear guidance/information from the healthcare professionals it is difficult for you to decide.
You could consider a clear list of questions to ask before you speak to them again, like:

is the cord currently restricting anything like engagement, labour or blood flow? How tangled is it?
What are the risks of doing nothing and waiting for labour naturally? In this particular situation and with statistics.
What are the risks of induction, with numbers (don't let anyone say none, it is untrue but different for different methods)
What are the risks of csection in this case?

Hopefully that will help with the decision making process

Also it is unhelpful when people say "without a csection my child/I wouldn't be here right now" the circumstances are very different and it could have been anything that caused that. Including the actual intervention or induction as they come with that risk too.

IDontFeelItAnymore · 14/06/2024 10:21

You might not want a section @MissDolly95 but...you understand your baby could die? Labour and birth doesn't often go how we want unfortunately.

SockQueen · 14/06/2024 10:24

BirthdayRainbow · 14/06/2024 10:07

Literally thousands of babies are born with cord around their neck - about a quarter of all babies! Most of the time it doesn't cause any problems and so is not in itself an indication for an emergency delivery. The fact that she has completely normal CTG monitoring and movements is very reassuring. In labour, it can cause problems if it is very tight, or wrapped more than once, which would cause changes in the heart rate which would be visible on the CTG.

It sounds like there is a lot of anxiety (understandably) and poor communication about risks/benefits of different options. Also, unfortunately, many labour wards are totally swamped and understaffed, so inductions/semi-emergency CSs are waiting a long time. It sucks but it's not an easy fix. I hope the OP manages to get a clearer plan from them today.

Lillieloola · 14/06/2024 10:25

Hi lovely. I had two ELCS and they were absolutely fine. I really would agree without a second thought. X

mewkins · 14/06/2024 10:26

I'd think that the semi emergency refers to the fact that it is not yet an emergency but would become one if you go into labour naturally or they need to induce you. If you do get to speak to someone today, ask if there is any chance of delivering this baby yourself and what the risks are associated with this. I know that in your shoes I'd be asking for a CS ASAP though (I've had two and recovery was fine).

Notstrongandstable · 14/06/2024 10:26

I went into labour naturally with DS. Failed to progress over 2 days, it was challenging. They then decided to do an EMCS and the consultant said I think the cord is around his neck. It was and my son was born fine by emergency CS.
If the cord is around the neck, you should have a CS. Every time they tried to push my contractions with drugs, my babies heart rate kept dropping.
Get the section, you'll be grand and have a healthy baby. And also an ELCS is so much more calm than an emergency one

Original poster

MissDolly95 · 14/06/2024 10:30

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 14/06/2024 10:08

Good luck OP.

In your position I would go in and say you'd like an elective C-section and you'll take the first slot available.

They said they can't give me and elective because it's fully booked so I have to wait and it could be 3 weeks. Bare in mind I'm due June 20th

OP posts:

Upinthenightagain · 14/06/2024 10:30

I would definitely get the c section. Inductions can be awful and if the cord is round baby’s neck you could have a major problem. I had an induction with second dd and she came out with two knots in her cord. We were incredibly lucky she was ok. It would have been far safer to have had a c section

Migil · 14/06/2024 10:33

I am not a doctor but my friend and sil had c section due to cord being around baby's neck. Please be wise and take doctor advice.

Original poster

MissDolly95 · 14/06/2024 10:35

Well update to the this. The doctor rang me and said there is no reasons to indicate why I should have a section unless I wanted one and they'd give me. Said the baby has beautiful growth, beautiful monitoring yesterday. She's now given me an induction date and offered me a sweep today.

So thanks for the people saying "you'll die"!! People come here for advise and reassurance, remember that unless you're a doctor!

OP posts:

Migil · 14/06/2024 10:36

Also from personal experience, will take csection over induction any day.

MummyJ36 · 14/06/2024 10:41

Definitely push them OP. I’m so sorry you’re in this position and I know how it feels to have things change last minute. Having had an ELCS second time around (albeit decided late in the day due to babies size) I really do think this sounds like you would be best to have one on this occasion.

Contrary to how it feels, you are not inconveniencing anyone by advocating for yourself and your child. Just because they want you to leave and wait it out doesn’t mean you have to. I’m sure it isn’t a lie that they have a long waiting list for sections but that is no excuse when you have been referred there for a semi urgent section. Can you ask if there is another trust nearby who will take you?

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